KaylaAlexander

While little boys in Tim Bit unis dream about being drafted by the NHL, little girl roundballers dream about being drafted into the WNBA.

Ten years ago Kayla Alexander was in grade 7. She picked up a basketball for the first time. By her own admission she wasn’t very good. But, she got good. Very good.

This week the National Elite Development Academy (NEDA) program alum and Syracuse University (SU) senior was selected eighth overall by the San Antonio Silver Stars in the 2013 WNBA draft.

Alexander is the third Canuck to be a first-round draft selectee in WNBA history. 2000 Canadian Olympian Stacey Dales, a Thousand Island Secondary School (Brockville) and University of Oklahoma graduate, was drafted third by the Washington Mystics in 2002, and 2012 Olympian Shona Thorburn, a Hamilton Westdale Secondary School and University of Utah graduate, was selected seventh by the Minnesota Lynx in 2006.

Alexander had a super senior season at SU, averaging 17.7 ppg and 8.7 rebounds and earning all-Big East first team status and honourable mention for the AP all-American team.

The social studies education major will graduate in May as a Big East all-academic, a member of the athletic director’s honour roll, as the all-time leading Syracuse scorer (2,004 points), top rebounder (970), top shot blocker (350), and player with the most field goals (736) and free throws made (552) in ’Cuse women’s basketball history.

NEDA coach Mark Walton believes that his former pupil “is just scratching the surface. I know that Kayla has more skill set than she has shown at Syracuse,” said Walton.

“San Antonio realized that Kayla can become a dominant post (player) at both ends of the court.”

Clearly, the sky’s the limit for the 6-foot-4 newly minted pro and aspiring Canadian Olympian

The Milton District High School grad and St. Mary Catholic Secondary School alum will get the opportunity to show her skill set when the San Antonio Silver Stars tip off May 24 against the defending WNBA champion Indiana Fever. They’re a team that features 2000 Canadian Olympian and 12-year WNBA veteran Tammy Sutton Brown (Markham District High School and Rutgers University).

“Kayla is as nice as they come,” said Walton. “She is deeply intelligent, thoughtful and a spiritual young lady. She could be a poster child for everything that a student-athlete should be.”

The 22 year old three-time all-Big East player may end up being the poster child for the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Alexander’s got game.

And so, too, has Alexander’s NEDA teammate Jenny Vaughan.

The Western University point guard led the OUA in scoring this past season, averaging 19.6 ppg., and ranked third in the nation.

Twice the St. Mary Catholic Secondary School grad has been named an OUA first team all-star and a CIS all-Canadian — second team.

“Jenny Vaughan is one of those individuals that comes along rarely within a coaching career,” said Brian Cheng, coach of the Lady Mustangs.

“What makes Jenny special is her competitive fire and pride to excel. And as good as Jenny is on the court she is just as extraordinary off the court.”

Added Mark Walton: “I loved coaching Jenny (in the NEDA program). Such a terrific young woman. She has a great basketball IQ.”

Therese Quigley, Western’s athletic director, echoed Walton’s words.

“Jenny is a very bright young woman with the athleticism and basketball IQ of a champion. Not surprising given her development in Canada’s hotbed of basketball in Hamilton.

“Her basketball pedigree is as pure as anyone in the game. But it is her work ethic, her intensity and competitive instincts that have capitalized on the strong coaching and competitive environment she grew up with within Hamilton.”

Quigley concluded: “I have come to know Jenny over the years through St. Mary’s, the NEDA program, and now Western. Her basketball talent is evident. But I have come to know a very articulate, strong, caring leader with a work ethic few exhibit.”

At the recent Mustang Athletic banquet the all-Canadian court commander was “wrapped” in the Purple Blanket considered one of the most prestigious athletic awards presented to Western student-athletes.